Obituary for Mervyn Kay Cox

Obituary for Mervyn Kay Cox

Mervyn Kay Cox was born on September 24, 1939 to Rulon Boots Cox and Ida Mae Iverson in St. George, Utah. He returned to his heavenly home on Saturday, December 15th, 2007 at the age of 71 after passing from an unexpected cardiac arrest.

Mervyn, or "Mert", as he was called, was grateful for a humble childhood where he learned the value of hard work, helping on the Boots Cox Dairy Farm in St. George. He attended Dixie College where serving as president of the "X" Club, being active in sports, and dancing in Marion Bentley's productions were ever treasured memories.

He savored his time while serving as an LDS missionary in the Northern States Mission before completing his bachelor's degree in Zoology at Brigham Young University. He received his DDS degree from the University of California in San Francisco and graduated second in his class. The now Dr. Cox returned to St. George as the first practicing orthodontist in Southwest Utah where he practiced for 43 years.

He was a charter board member of the Dixie College Foundation and also served a term as its president. Mervy was an original investor in Skywest Airlines in 1972 and served on its Board of Directors for 35 years.

He had a valiant testimony of Christ and served faithfully in various callings through his life in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He will be long remembered for his selfless contribution of time and means, supporting many worthy causes throughout the community.

No one will ever know the number of smiles he's responsible for. Not only through the smiles he created in his orthodontic office, but through his great generosity and, most important, through his own warm contagious smile.

His wife and children knew that family came first in his life. He was an extraordinary example of service, charity and unconditional love. His quiet strength and wisdom will be forever the backbone of his family. In his own words: "My most treasured possessions are my wife and my kids, that's what it's all about. My family is my greatest accomplishment."

He is survived by his wife, Sue Cox, and his twelve children: Dan (Staci) Cox, Jeff "Botas" Cox, Kim (Scott) Moeller, Jody (Cherie) Cox, Kyla (Skyler) Lawrence, Katrina (Spencer) Swift, Damon (Lety) Cox, B.J. (Rachel) Cox, Kiarah, JOsh, Katasha, Dallin, and 25 (soon to be 27) adoring grandchildren. He leaves behind his mother, Ida Mae Iverson, stepmother Rita Cox, siblings Walter Cox, Deloa Keenan, and Wendell Cox, and a very large and loving extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Rulon "Boots" Cox and sister Mary Beth.

Funeral: Sat., Dec. 22, 2007, 12:00 p.m. the MK Cox Auditorium at Dixie College, 300 S. 700 E. St. George, Utah. Visitation: Fri., Dec 21, 2007, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Metcalf Mortuary and again on Sat. from 9:30-11:00 a.m. at the MK Cox Auditorium prior to services.

Note: The data on this page comes from the official record for Mervyn Kay Cox in the SSDI (United States Social Security Master Death Index). The death certificate for this record has been observed. This data can be considered accurate